Who doesn’t love the Intrust Super Cup aka the Queensland Cup, and if you don’t what is wrong with you.
So with just three rounds to go after this weekend before the finals start, what better time to start of quick wrap up of the action with a top 5 of all the Intrust Super Cup Round 22 action.
People these days barely have time for anything, let alone a second tier rugby league competition, which is why we try and cherry pick the best of the weekend so you can use it for all your coffee catch ups for the rest of the week.
So enjoy our top 5 of the weekend action, and why not get on board if you haven’t already.
For a full review of the weekend’s action from the Intrust Super Cup Round 23 – why not catch our full rundown at Nothing But League.
THE PNG HUNTERS SURVIVE BLACKHAWKS ONSLAUGHT TO PROVE THEY ARE PREMIERSHIP READY
Thanks to the QRL’s committment to showing PNG Hunters away games via live steam, our Saturday evening was taken up by another great installment of the Hunters-Blackhawks rivalry.
Whilst Hunters had the early running and led after scoring two tries in the first ten minutes, it was all Townsville up to half time. It was more all Blackhawks after the break as they attempted to extend their 16-12 and were relentlessly attacking the Hunters line. Set after set, for over fifteen minutes Townsville had the Hunters under pressure. Repeat sets a plenty from drop outs, Hunters penalties, but somehow the hunters held on.
As what usually happen in rugby league did, as the side who have all the ball and territory for an extended period and don’t score usually concede within minutes. The PNG Hunters did score through Israel Eliab, and from there the PNG Hunters found another gear and kicked on to win 24-16. Willie Minoga as ever was one of the best.
That ability under pressure shows the Hunters are ready to tough it out in the finals, and their away form this season will have them in a great position to challenge for the title. The two worries are their home form which has been less than the fortress it has been in previous seasons, and their terrible finals record of 0-3. We’ll back them though. Go Hunters.
EASTS TIGERS AND REDCLIFFE PROVE THEY ARE PREMIERSHIP READY TOO
Easts and Redcliffe moved clear of the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the chase for the top two spots with good wins over Souths Logan and Tweed Heads respectively.
The Tigers win was the more impresssive as they tore apart a fellow top 6 side in Souths Logan, and if they can keep Brodie Croft with them during the finals alongside the rest of the high quality squad they are a real chance of taking the Intrust Super Cup crown.
Easts can mathematically still finish first, but will need to win their final game, for Redcliffe to lose their last game, and the Hunters to lose both of their remaining games. Might happen, overtaking Redcliffe is more of a chance being just one point behind with one game to be played.
A home final is assured at least.
NORTHS RUIN FALCONS UNDEFEATED HOME RECORD AND TOP TWO CHANCES
Norths came into the game on a run of 1 win in 11 games, and that run had seen the Devils head coach Mark Gliddon put in his resignation for next season. So it was a big surprise to follow the game on Saturday night and see the Devils overtake the Falcons with two late tries.
The result sees Norths avoid last for 2017, and the Sunshine Coast will now miss out on the chance of a top two position. Although that could be a blessing in disguise as the second will likely play in Port Moresby in finals week 2.
BURLEIGH WIN BATTLE OF IN FORM TEAMS THAT CAN’T MAKE THE FINALS
Burleigh are finishing the season in style as they have now won seven games in nine and despite not climbing above their 10th position on the ladder are within touching distance of 7th, and the tag of best of the rest.
Both sides have been in decent form coming into the game, and have been a menace to the top 6 sides – Burleigh have beaten Townsville and the Sunshine Coast in the last few rounds, so their next opponent Easts Tigers should be wary. Mackay had also beaten Sunshine Coast and drawn with the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby.
Although a shame both sides are not featuring in the finals, they are both building nicely for a tilt next year.
BATTLE FOR LAST GOING DOWN TO THE FINAL WEEK
Tweed Heads have been on the bottom for most of the season, but some well timed byes and a badly timed 9 game losing streak for the Central Capras means that the Seagulls are just one point behind the Rockhampton based side with two games to go.
Both sides have had the bye so the one point advantage for Central means Tweed must win one more game than the Capras in the last two weeks, as even a draw won’t help given the difference in for and against – Tweed -379 and Central -231.
Tweed’s current losing streak of 6 is better than the Capra’s 9, and the Seagulls have beaten the current top two in the competition, including the PNG Hunters who they must face. If they can do the double over the Hunters they probably deserve to avoid last.
RESULTS
BURLEIGH BEARS 28 MACKAY CUTTERS 16
TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS 16 PNG HUNTERS 24
SUNSHINE COAST FALCONS 10 NORTHS DEVILS 18
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS 30 TWEED HEADS SEAGULLS 4
SOUTHS LOGAN MAGPIES 10 EASTS TIGERS 46
LADDER
| Team | P | W | D | L | B | F | A | +/- | Pts |
| PNG Hunters | 21 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 504 | 330 | 174 | 37 |
| Redcliffe Dolphins | 22 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 564 | 316 | 248 | 34 |
| Easts Tigers | 22 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 564 | 410 | 154 | 33 |
| Sunshine Coast Falcons | 22 | 14 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 605 | 400 | 205 | 31 |
| Souths Logan Magpies | 21 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 496 | 456 | 40 | 30 |
| Townsville Blackhawks | 22 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 557 | 431 | 126 | 28 |
| Ipswich Jets | 21 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 472 | 505 | -33 | 26 |
| Mackay Cutters | 21 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 483 | 514 | -31 | 24 |
| Wynnum Manly Seagulls | 21 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 395 | 407 | -12 | 22 |
| Burleigh Bears | 22 | 10 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 434 | 478 | -44 | 22 |
| Norths Devils | 22 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 472 | 556 | -84 | 18 |
| Northern Pride | 21 | 5 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 366 | 499 | -133 | 14 |
| Central Queensland Capras | 21 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 2 | 402 | 633 | -231 | 13 |
| Tweed Heads Seagulls | 21 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 295 | 674 | -379 | 12 |
